ALERT   ALERT  ALERT

ALL UNION MEMBERS

THE INFORMATION POSTED ON THE AT&T WEBSITE: LAST, BEST AND FINAL OFFER HAS NOT BEEN SOLIDIFIED BY CWA AND DOES NOT INCLUDE ALL BARGAINED FOR ITEMS.

WE ARE STILL IN NEGOTIATION

REMBEMBER UNITED WE STAND AND DEVIDED WE BEG

Helpful Strike Tips

Little Rock members in need of a public facility please us Discount Tire & Brakes. All other strike locations please check with your strike Captain on duty.

For Strike notifications and updates please call the local @ 501-376-6507 or visit the website @ www.cwa6507.org or www.district6.cwa-union.org

If you need to change your strike duty schedule please contact your Strike Captain.

Wear comfortable shoes.

Please do not bring any type of seating equipment. (ie. lawn chairs, folding chairs, ect.). We are strictly foot patrol.

Please see your Strike Captain upon arrival for your walking assignment.

You MUST SIGN the strike duty roster each week to receive your weekly pay. NO SIGNATURE NO PAY.

Strike duty is required in ALL weather conditions.

Direct any Media coverage to either of the following gentleman: Gerald Murray, Union President, or Robert White, Union Vice-President, Local 6507.

Strike Duty check may be picked up @ the local Bldg,. 2020 West 3rd Street Ste. 1-C on Friday, from 8:00am to 6:00pm and Saturday, 8:00am to 12 noon ONLY. Any checks not picked up will be mailed out on Saturday afternoon

VOLUNTEER WALKING IS ENCOURAGED

How to survive Financial Hard Times

“Strikes & Unemployment”

It is always better to be Prepared and Proactive instead of Unprepared and Reactive.

We all are aware that contract negotiations began February 24, 2009. Be assured that both sides are approaching the table with several predetermined goals. We intend to fight and maintain our Benefits and Job Security onshore for at&t American workers first. The strike Authorization Vote is not a guarantee we will strike. Initially, it is a message tool to the company that we will take a United Stand against losing our long fought for benefits. This company’s wealth and reputation has been built upon our backs and we should not have to lose basic benefits to keep the Golden Parachutes full. If AT&T profits (which they have) then we should all, share that same profit.

Listed below are a few ideas that will help us all survive financially if we actually have to go out on strike.

1. Start saving and trim your budget, enlist everyone in the family to assist and make sure they understand how a strike could affect the family. Resist large optional expenditures that can wait until a contract signed.
2. Take a look at possible loan options, such as borrowing from Fidelity retirement account if you are a participant in the saving plan. Request at least 3-months work of living expenses. Your payment plan can be spread over several years and will not start until we return to normal work and pay from at&t. Go online direct to the Fidelity Netbenefits website or go to HR one stop quick reference under the letter F (for Fidelity). Once there input your SSN # and Pin # (if you do not have a pin number set it up now in preparation). Open Saving and Retirement go to select Action then drop down to loans, Rollovers and Withdrawals. Open Loans and the system will tell you if you are eligible for a loan from your plan. You cannot have more then 2 loans at once from the plan. Hold the funds as a security blanket if we do not strike and you do not need it then pa the loan off early with no penalty.
3. You may also be eligible for an equity loan if you own property. Check with your mortgage company prior to contract end.
4. Contact all of your creditor, mortgage and utility companies or banks and advised them we are going on strike and request a payment option or extension while on strike.
5. If you have a Union Plus Credit Card. (800) 522-4000 they have a skip a payment plan if we are on strike. You can open a card as transfer balances from other cards that do not offer this service. We also have access to the Union Plus Mortgage and Real Estate (1-800-848-6466).
6. Be proactive in looking for temporary or part time work that will help fill the gaps along with the CWA stipend, which becomes available after the first 2 weeks. Make sure the CWA Local Union Office 501-376-6507 has your correct address.
7. Stipend Pay is $ 200.00 a week starting on the 15^th day of a strike and increasing to $300.00 a week thereafter. You must be a member in good standing to receive Strike Fund Stipend benefits.

The decision to strike is never an easy one, but in order to maintain our long-term goals of good wages, benefits, and financial security for our families we must stay United and refuse to be broken. The company has not given us anything. Many before us have fought long and hard to get the wages and benefits we enjoy everyday and often take for granted. Compare your income and benefits to someone you know who doesn’t work in a union organized environment and you will see and recognize the difference.

United we Bargain – Divided We Beg

Prepared for by Pamela Ferrell

Q&A

Q. If we strike on April 4^th midnight, is at&t obligated to pay us for the prior 2 weeks time we would receive on April 9^th pay day.

A. Yes they will pay you for time worked or if you were on vacation.

Q. Why do Union members have to wait 15 days to receive any pay from the strike fund? We have paid into over the course of 5 Yrs. Why can we not get paid day one?

A. Rules of the members Relief Fund – this can only be changed at a convention action

Q. If we go out on strike what will happen to retiree benefits? Will they continue?

A. Yes – retiree benefits will continue even though active benefits can be cut off

Q. Will the company honor healthcare benefits. When will we know for sure? Will it make a difference if employees are looking at getting prescriptions filled or making doctor appointments?

A. The Company may not honor health care benefits, in fact we suspect they may shut them off. Depending on when your prescriptions are to be filled or appointments made, they could be affected. If you have no benefits from the company and aren’t paying for benefits then you may have to pay for prescription or appointments out of pocket. 

Q. Will the company honor vacation that you already have scheduled? This was address on a Q&A that was read at our meeting. Per Q&A the answer was no, but it was asked as to who supplied that answer. In previous years scheduled vacation was honored. Also will it make a different if the time is individual days or full week? Also if not honored when would that be effective (week 4-4 or what), and what would be the procedure for canceling the time. Will the company automatically do it or is the employee responsible for doing.

A. The company will honor the first week’s vacation but no other weeks. If we go out on 4/4 that week is good but none of the following weeks. Andy was told this by Croce in Labor. This is a change of how it was handled before. 

Q. Should we strike on April 4^th would the member’s health care be covered until the end of the month?

A. The company pays our premiums one month in advance, so the members SHOULD have coverage until the end of the month. However this is NOT guaranteed.

Q. Can our members purchase health care under Cobra if we strike?

A. Yes up to 18 months. The striker has up to 60 days to elect COBRA coverage. If they elect to continue they have another 45 days to pay the premium. However, before electing coverage or paying a premium, you should contact your local’s community services committee. They may help you determine whether it might be a good idea to delay electing coverage in order to delay paying the premium and to determine what ways the CWA defense fund can assist you in paying for you health care needs.

Q. If the company locks our members out, can they still cancel health care?

A. If employee benefits have accrued and meets (continues to meet) the requirements of the benefits/ health plan, the employer may not unilaterally suspend those benefits during a lock out.

Questions or concerns contact coordinator or Union Steward.